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PHARMACIST

HEALTH PROFESSIONS WORKSHOP (HPW)

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UCSF FRESNO

Office of Health Career Pathways

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WHAT ARE WE DOING TODAY:

01

Review what a pharmacist is

Icebreaker

03

Q&A

02

04

Activity

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WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT

PHARMACIST?

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WHAT IS A PHARMACY?

    • A store where medicinal drugs are dispensed and sold (store)
    • The science or practice of the preparation and dispensing of medical drugs (courses of pharmacy)

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WHAT IS A PHARMACIST?

    • Definition: A person who is professionally qualified to prepare and dispense medicinal drugs
      • Pharmacists hold a doctorate degree in pharmacy although they are not medical doctors or physicians

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01.

STEPS TO BECOME A PHARMACIST

    • Earn a 4-year college degree
      • Typically, major in STEM-related fields
        • Biology/Chemistry
        • Environmental Science or Biochemistry
        • Physics
        • Math
    • Pass the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

02.

03.

    • Complete an accredited PharmD program
    • Earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
      • Pharmacy programs are a minimum of 4-6 years
    • Apply for a state pharmacy council license and complete the state licensure exam
    • Complete a 1 to 4 -year clinical residency experience
      • This provides hands-on experience with other healthcare professionals under the supervision of an experienced pharmacist
      • 1st year is mainly training in various clinical rotations, whereas 2-4 year focuses on specialty and subspecialty

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WHAT SCHOOLS CAN YOU ATTEND IN CALIFORNIA

1.UC SAN DIEGO

    • These California Pharmacy Schools are ranked based on their first time passing rate of NAPLEX

2.USC

3.UCSF

4.WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

5.UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC

6.TOURO UNIVERSITY

7.LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY

8.CALIFORNIA NORTHSTATE UNIVERSITY

97.64% NAPLEX Performance

95.15% NAPLEX Performance

94.12% NAPLEX Performance

94.06% NAPLEX Performance

92.28% NAPLEX Performance

91.18% NAPLEX Performance

87.13% NAPLEX Performance

81.08% NAPLEX Performance

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04.

WHAT DO PHARMACIST DO?

01.

02.

Dispensing Medications - as per physician’s prescriptions and verifying their legality

03.

Advising Patients - on how to use medications and informing them about potential side effects

Conducting Health Screening - administering immunizations

Collaborating w/Other Healthcare Professionals- to ensure optimal patient care

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4 COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF A PHARMACIST

Pharmacists must be detail-oriented to avoid errors and

ensure safe medication dispensing

A good memory is crucial for recalling drug interactions, side effects, and customer needs

Strong interpersonal skills help pharmacists communicate effectively and build trust with customers

Pharmacists need extensive knowledge from completing a Doctor of Pharmacy program and staying updated on drugs

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SALARY & LOCATION

    • The national average salary for pharmacists is $133,953 per year
    • Salary ranges from $104,137 to $172,306 per year depending on the geographic location and experience level
    • Locations of where pharmacists work:
      • Retail Stores (CVS, Walgreens, Target, Costco, etc.)
      • Hospitals
      • Institutions (Jails, Army Bases, etc.)

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REFERENCES

    • https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmacy
    • https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharmacist
    • https://www.pharmacytechnicianguide.com/Pharmacy-Schools-California/
    • https://www.besthealthdegrees.com/lists/5-common-characteristics-of-a-pharmacist/#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways%3A%201%20Pharmacists%20must%20be%20detail-oriented%20to,recalling%20drug%20interactions%2C%20side%20effects%2C%20and%20customer%20needs.
    • https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/how-much-does-a-pharmacist-make#:~:text=How%20much%20does%20a%20pharmacist%20make%3F%20The%20national,depending%20on%20geographic%20location%2C%20experience%20and%20the%20industry.